Press release

Wed, Aug 28th 2013 06:30 pm

State Sen. Maziarz has announced that, starting today,
residents of Niagara Falls will be able to track how the city is spending the
casino revenue funds online. Expenditure information will be available on the
senator's website.

"One of the main concerns I heard about the casino
revenue from constituents was that they had no idea how it was being spent,"
Maziarz said. "I also heard from residents that would share their discontent
with how the city was spending the money, when they actually learned it was
used. Providing transparency and accountability to the residents of the city is
extremely important, not just with the $89 million they just received, but for
the years to come."

Maziarz is teaming up with the Niagara Falls City Council
to provide individuals with this information. Except for the groups that are
designated money under state legislation, all expenditures of casino revenue
must be approved by the City Council. After each council meeting where funding
is approved, Maziarz will receive a spreadsheet from the city of the approved
projects. This information will be published on his website as an itemized
listing, including the date of approval, description of the project and the
amount.

"While the city is the entity that decides how the
money is spent, it is imperative that there is transparency this time around," Maziarz
said. "It is important that the taxpayers are informed as to how their casino
money is being spent, and that the city is held accountable."